Royal Enfield Hunter 350 : Royal Enfield, the name itself has depicted the rich heritage of toughness, that only few brands sport.
But times change and riders have changed, and so has even this heritage brand. That’s where the new Royal Enfield Hunter 350 fits in — a motorcycle infused with all the sensibilities of contemporary design, but held together by the raw, throbbing engine-note of a classic Enfield.
It is stylish, compact, vibrant and, best of all, is powered by the same engine resting beneath the Meteor 350 and Classic 350.
Designed for young people of today — or as many a “modern boy” would say: “Nowadays youth,” the Hunter 350 is classic in flavor yet dynamic in performance.
A Fresh Urban-Classic Design
The Hunter 350 has the signature retro DNA of Royal Enfield but it’s been made for an urban audience.
Its short wheelbase and tight lines have the appearance of an agile cycle ready to snake through the city.
The classic Enfield design is retained with round headlamps, teardrop shape of the fuel tank and minimalist tail section, the splash of bright color options and alloy wheels bring freshness to the design.
It’s a spirited and youthful design — either as a “Metro” version with two-tone paint and digital-analogue dash, or the more sober “Retro” model with spoked wheels and basic instrumentation.
Either way, though, it’s not a car that shouts for attention, but one that commands respect calmly with its muscular bearing and confident demeanor.
Engine and Performance: Same Soul, Different Vibe
The tried-and-proven 349cc, single-cylinder, air-oil cooled engine sits under the tank, the same engine that also does duty on the Meteor 350 and Classic 350.
This mill is paired with a 20.2 bhp of power at 6,100 rpm and 27 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm, which provides an easy and torquey ride.
The Hunter, however, feels faster and more nimble as its kerb weight is lower at only 181 kg (for the Metro). It’s this nimbleness that distinguishes it from its heavier siblings.
In the city or the wide open road, the Hunter takes it all in its stride. Gearing is slick, throttle is predictable and the famed Enfield thump continues to peal, albeit in a more muted form.
Ride and handling: built for the city jungle
It is a contemporary build on the J-platform chassis and arguably one of the best handling of the Royal Enfield. It feels solid, nimble and flickable in those twisty city streets.
The suspension — telescopic forks in the front and twin shocks in the rear — is a solid setup that soaks up most urban bumps and uneven patches.
It’s also easy to turn in, partly because of the 17-inch wheels (a first for Enfield) it rolls on, and carries a flirtatious whiff of playfulness about it.
Even Below 5 6 riders can plant both feet firmly on the ground; so this bike matches mostly all the categories of this list.
The braking, also, is just about satisfactory with disc (front) and drum (rear – Retro) or disc (front and rear – Metro), but the dual-channel ABS (for Metro only) adds confidence.
Features and Instrumentation
Royal Enfield has ensured that the Hunter 350 will be practical but feature-rich.
The Metro version has a semi-digital instrument cluster with an LCD display for gear position indicator, trip meter, odometer, fuel gauge, and digital clock.
There’s also an optional Tripper Navigation pod, which can deliver turn-by-turn directions when synced with a smartphone.
Other convenient touches includes USB charging port, hazard lights, and LED tail-lamps.
But don’t expect fancy electronics or ride modes — the Hunter is a testament to the analog soul of Royal Enfield while throwing in just enough tech to stay in this century.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
Generous, ready-to-work power: Features the powerful and efficient 349cc air-/oil-cooled SOHC four-stroke, four-valve engine with plenty of low-rpm torque and power.
Urban-friendly design: Lean, lightweight, and ideal for city riders.
Good looks: Contemporary modern-retro fusion that youngters like.
RE Best handling RE bike: Confident ride dynamics for a RE, all thanks to 17-inch wheels.
Value for money: Fantastic value, especially when compared with other 350cc models.
Cons:
No rear disc in base variant: Braking feel sharper even on the Retro perhaps.
Higher RPM Vibrations: Felt above 90Kmph on Highways.
Down-spec touring features: Not a perfect choice for riders wanting to go the distance with a windshield and storage features.
Little electronics: Few of the street and rider aids present on rivals.
Royal Enfield Hunter 350 Conclusion
The Royal Enfield Hunter 350 is an intelligent, urban and the performance oriented motorcycle for the Indian rider.
And if you are a college-going young adult or just starting your career or just want to kickstart your daily commute, the Hunter 350 is it, in our opinion, your way into the Royal Enfield club.
The powerful engine, the nimble handling, the masculine blood that runs in it, it is all that — it communicates directly with the “modern boys” who have the yen for classic without the weight.
This is not a mere bike — it is a lifestyle statement that fuses heritage with hustle.